| | This double issue of ROAPE is concerned with a number of separate, but clearly related, issues at the heart of political activity in Africa. It addresses aspects of the increasing role of force in African politics and the difficulties this raises for democratic development. Linking the problems of political violence and political democracy is entirely appropriate: the spiral of violence and repression sweeping the continent effectively disenfranchises the mass of citizens, making them powerless and helpless victims, refugees, cannon-fodder, corpses - while predatory opportunists fight around and over them. All too often, only armed resistance offers any hope of democratic change. In consequence, the struggle to extend the terrain of political debate, expand human rights, increase mass participation and establish at least popular (never mind socialist) democracy - issues highlighted at the 1989 ROAPE Conference, on Taking Democracy Seriously remains a difficult one. Considers Militarisation, State Violence and Resistance; Are there Warlords in Africa?; The Failure of Democracy; South Africa: De Klerk's 'Reforms' and Mandela's 'Freedom' |
